Foodie Adventures: The Best Brunch in Nassau County

Between Long Island and New York City, there are thousands of restaurants to excite your taste buds. But residents and visitors don’t have to travel into the big city or venture to the Hamptons for delicious dining, especially for brunch.

Whether planning to visit Nassau County for a quick day trip or traveling from out of town, you’ll find plenty of brunch options, from elegant locales with grand buffets to casual diners.

We’ve rounded up a list of spots for the best brunch in Nassau County, from special occasion restaurants to cozy eateries. Keep reading below for our top 12 Long Island brunch recommendations.

Visitors rave about the Garden City Hotel’s Sunday brunch buffet in the luxurious Red Salt Room. The ambiance matches the brunch offerings with decadence and attention to detail. The options change weekly, but you can count on staples like made-to-order omelets and crepes, a fresh seafood and sushi bar, and a delicious dessert bar accompanied by a chocolate fountain. Their Sunday brunch buffet is $110 per person and $60 per child; reservations are required.

Enjoy an array of high-quality seafood, sushi, steak, and fresh-made breakfast classics at the elegant Rothmann’s Steakhouse. Their Sunday Brunch is a grand buffet at $69.95 per person, prepared by recognized chefs, complete with a dessert bar and a complimentary cocktail to top off your meal. Chilled oysters and skirt steak fresh from the carving board are some of the most-loved options. Be sure to make reservations in advance to guarantee your spot.

Enjoy an array of high-quality seafood, sushi, steak, and fresh-made breakfast classics at the elegant Rothmann’s Steakhouse. Their Sunday Brunch is a grand buffet at $69.95 per person, prepared by recognized chefs, complete with a dessert bar and a complimentary cocktail to top off your meal. Chilled oysters and skirt steak fresh from the carving board are some of the most-loved options. Be sure to make reservations in advance to guarantee your spot.

Novita’s $38 prix fixe weekend brunch offers an Italian twist on their dishes in addition to traditional breakfast entrees. From eggs benedict to their meatball and mozzarella panini, Novita will surely have something to cater to your brunch craving. And with your brunch comes bountiful drinks; unlimited mimosas or all the coffee and tea you want are included with the set price. The restaurant accommodates large parties celebrating engagements, bridal groups, and family holiday outings. It fills up fast for their Saturday and Sunday brunches, so beat the crowd by arriving early or booking your reservation in advance.

Head to Hendrick’s Tavern in Roslyn for fine dining at brunch. Their lengthy menu includes sweet treats like homemade donuts topped with cinnamon sugar and vanilla sauce. You can opt for formal dining inside or their outdoor patio facing Roslyn Pond. Hendrick’s Tavern has an impressive selection of mouth-watering options like lemon ricotta pancakes topped with whipped cream and lunch specialties like their yellowfin tuna carpaccio. Brunch entrees range from $16-$32 per plate.

Take a stroll through the quaint Roslyn neighborhood before heading to Thyme’s welcoming restaurant front, set in a pastel-yellow historic home. Their weekend brunch overlooking Roslyn Pond is ideal for an outdoor dining experience. At $31 per person, you can select a craft brunch cocktail, plus your choice of an American-style breakfast or lunch fare. Thyme takes a unique spin on American classics, from challah French toast to elaborate avocado toast.

This Woodbury restaurant touts itself as rustic, fresh, and local. Set in a nondescript corner, the eclectic interior and carefully crafted brunch menu are anything but. Entrees like grass-fed beef burgers and butternut burrata toast aim to give your taste buds the freshest and most well-sourced ingredients in season. You’ll walk away impressed with the food and beautiful plating. Main entrees range in price from $17 to $52.

Louie’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant offers a simple yet elevated weekend brunch menu at reasonable prices—around $18-$30 per plate. Incorporating what they do best— seafood and steak—with breakfast options, they create brunch  entrees like the smoked salmon platter and prime steak and eggs. Choose Belgian waffles or brioche French toast if you’re craving something sweet. Enjoy views of the water on their well-decorated and covered patio deck.

Visit The Shed in Plainview any day of the week for their all-day, hearty brunch. It’s consistently mentioned as the best brunch on Long Island, and for good reason. The restaurant combines a homestyle barn with modern touches and delicious comfort foods with entrees ranging from $14-$40. Start by sharing favorites like fried pickles, deviled eggs, or their fresh buttermilk biscuits served with housemade jam before diving into your main entree. You can build your omelet or customize your buttermilk pancakes with toppings like fruit, bananas, chocolate, and nuts. If you have a heavier appetite, The Shed’s signature burger or steak house burger will satisfy you.

Get a taste of New Orleans comfort food at Big Daddy’s jazz brunch. Skip the frills and embrace the cozy atmosphere with $30 bottomless brunch cocktails and flavorful Cajun specials done right. Start with a cup of gumbo and head for a hearty entree like their classic Louisiana shrimp and grits or omelet jambalaya. For live jazz music, plan your visit for a Sunday brunch after 11am. It’s a fun ambiance for the whole family.

Thomas’s Ham & Eggery is one of the longest-running locales for breakfast and brunch on Long Island, boasting more than 70 years of business. You’ll spot its diner marquee lit up until 9 pm every day and until 4 pm on Sundays. For the full experience at Thomas’s, choose one of their specialties, such as steak and eggs or Thomas’s Eggs Benedict, served in a sizzling skillet. From your traditional American breakfast dishes to Mexican huevos rancheros and Cajun omelets, there is plenty of variety to satisfy your hunger.

Landmark Diner is one of the best if you’re looking for a casual hometown diner experience. Serving Sunday brunch and breakfast throughout the week, Landmark Diner is great for small parties and large groups. Specialty omelets, lox bagels, and assorted breakfast plates are good choices, but save room for the diner’s hot-off-the-griddle pancakes. With more than a dozen options, you can pick from cookies and cream pancakes to Boston cream pancakes and everything in between. Fresh-squeezed orange juice and hand-picked fruits from Hunts Point Market make for refreshing sides with your brunch. You can find it all at Landmark Diner!

Visit any of these spots or your favorite brunch spot in Nassau County. Share your pictures with @VisitNassauCountyLI and be entered to win some Nassau County prizes!